Shampoo containing a gel network

ABSTRACT

Shampoo compositions comprise (a) from about 5% to about 50% of one or more detersive surfactants, by weight of the shampoo composition; (b) a dispersed gel network phase comprising, by weight of the shampoo composition, (i) at least about 0.05% of one or more fatty alcohols; (ii) at least about 0.01% of one or more secondary surfactants; and (iii) water; and (c) at least about 20% of an aqueous carrier, by weight of the shampoo composition; and, wherein the dispersed gel network phase has a melt transition temperature of at least about 38° C. A process for preparing a shampoo composition comprises the steps of: (a) combining a fatty alcohol, a secondary surfactant, and water at a temperature sufficient to allow partitioning of the secondary surfactant and the water into the fatty alcohol to form a pre-mix; (b) cooling the pre-mix below the chain melt temperature of the fatty alcohol to form a gel network; (c) adding the gel network to one or more detersive surfactants and an aqueous carrier to form a shampoo composition which comprises a dispersed gel network phase having a melt transition temperature of at least about 38° C.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of prior co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 11/228,770, filed on Sep. 16, 2005; which is a continuation-in-part of prior co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/454,433, filed on Jun. 4, 2003; which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/385,641, filed on Jun. 4, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a hair cleansing and conditioning shampoo composition containing a dispersed gel network phase comprising a fatty alcohol. More particularly, the present invention relates to such a shampoo composition in which the dispersed gel network phase has a melt transition temperature of at least about 38° C.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Human hair becomes soiled due to its contact with the surrounding environment and from the sebum secreted by the scalp. The soiling of hair causes it to have a dirty feel and an unattractive appearance. The soiling of the hair necessitates shampooing with frequent regularity.

Shampooing cleans the hair by removing excess soil and sebum. However, shampooing can leave the hair in a wet, tangled, and generally unmanageable state. Once the hair dries, it is often left in a dry, rough, lusterless, or frizzy condition due to removal of the hair's natural oils and other natural conditioning and moisturizing components. The hair can further be left with increased levels of static upon drying, which can interfere with combing and result in a condition commonly referred to as “fly-away hair.”

A variety of approaches have been developed to alleviate these after-shampoo problems. These approaches range from post-shampoo application of hair conditioners such as leave-on and rinse-off products, to hair conditioning shampoos which attempt to both cleanse and condition the hair from a single product.

In order to provide hair conditioning benefits in a cleansing shampoo base, a wide variety of conditioning actives have been proposed. However, many of these actives have the disadvantage of leaving the hair feeling soiled or coated and of interfering with the cleansing efficacy of the shampoo.

Coacervate formation in a shampoo composition is known to be advantageous for providing conditioning benefits to the hair. The use of cationic polymers to form coacervate is known in the art, such as in PCT publications WO 93/08787 and WO 95/01152. However, these shampoo compositions are good for delivering wet hair conditioning but are not capable of delivering satisfactory dry hair smooth feel.

Based on the foregoing, there is a need for a conditioning shampoo which can provide improved conditioning benefit for dry hair, while not interfering with the cleansing efficacy, nor providing negative feel to the hair when it is dried. Specifically, there is a need to provide long lasting moisturized feel, smooth feel, and manageability control to the hair when the hair is dried, yet not leave the hair feeling greasy, as well as to provide softness and ease of combing when the hair is wet.

Recently, the use of shampoo compositions comprising a dispersed fatty alcohol gel network phase has been proposed to achieve improved wet feel and dry conditioning benefit while not interfering with cleansing efficacy. In such shampoo compositions, the fatty alcohol is in the form of a solid crystalline gel network phase, meaning that the fatty alcohol is arranged in multi-lamellar vesicles and lamellar sheets in the dispersed phase. It is believed that this physical structure of the gel network allows the fatty alcohol to deposit on the hair in sheets, with the fatty ends of the fatty alcohol molecules aligning away from the hair and forming a low friction surface, which contributes to the improved conditioning benefit. For use in such shampoo compositions, U.S. 2003/0223952 A1 to Wells et al. (“Wells”) discloses that fatty alcohols having from about 16 to about 18 carbon atoms are most preferable. Additionally, Wells exemplifies only shampoo compositions comprising combinations of cetyl (i.e., C₁₆) alcohol and stearyl (i.e., C₁₈) alcohol.

While this approach leads, generally, to achieving the described benefits, it has now been found that shampoo compositions comprising a dispersed fatty alcohol gel network phase, wherein the dispersed fatty alcohol gel network phase has a melt transition temperature of at least about 38° C., are most storage stable under standard physical stability protocols and surprisingly also deliver superior dry conditioning benefits versus shampoo compositions such as those disclosed as preferable and exemplified in Wells.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a shampoo composition comprising: (a) from about 5% to about 50% of one or more detersive surfactants, by weight of the shampoo composition; (b) a dispersed gel network phase comprising: (i) at least about 0.05% of one or more fatty alcohols, by weight of the shampoo composition; (ii) at least about 0.01% of one or more secondary surfactants, by weight of the shampoo composition; and (iii) water; and (c) at least about 20% of an aqueous carrier, by weight of the shampoo composition; wherein the dispersed gel network phase has a melt transition temperature of at least about 38° C., as measured according to differential scanning calorimetry.

The present invention also is directed to a process of making the shampoo composition described above.

The present invention is further directed to a method of using the shampoo composition described above.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become evident to those skilled in the art from a reading of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the specification concludes with claims which particularly point out and distinctly claim the invention, it is believed the present invention will be better understood from the following description.

All percentages, parts and ratios are based upon the total weight of the compositions of the present invention, unless otherwise specified. All such weights as they pertain to listed ingredients are based on the active level and, therefore, do not include solvents or by-products that may be included in commercially available materials, unless otherwise specified. The term “weight percent” may be denoted as “wt. %” herein.

All molecular weights as used herein are weight average molecular weights expressed as grams/mole, unless otherwise specified.

The term “charge density”, as used herein, refers to the ratio of the number of positive charges on a polymer to the molecular weight of said polymer.

Herein, “comprising” means that other steps and other ingredients which do not affect the end result can be added. This term encompasses the terms “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of”. The compositions and methods/processes of the present invention can comprise, consist of, and consist essentially of the essential elements and limitations of the invention described herein, as well as any of the additional or optional ingredients, components, steps, or limitations described herein.

The term “polymer” as used herein shall include materials whether made by polymerization of one type of monomer or made by two (i.e., copolymers) or more types of monomers.

The term “shampoo” as used herein means a composition for cleansing and conditioning hair or skin, including scalp, face, and body.

The term “suitable for application to human hair” as used herein means that the compositions or components thereof so described are acceptable for use in contact with human hair and the scalp and skin without undue toxicity, incompatibility, instability, allergic response, and the like.

The term “water soluble” as used herein means that the material is soluble in water in the present composition. In general, the material should be soluble at 25° C. at a concentration of 0.1% by weight of the water solvent, preferably at 1%, more preferably at 5%, more preferably at 15%.

The shampoo compositions of the present invention comprise one or more detersive surfactants, a dispersed gel network phase which has a melt transition temperature of at least about 38° C., and an aqueous carrier. Each of these essential components, as well as preferred or optional components, is described in detail hereinafter.

A. Detersive Surfactant

The shampoo compositions of the present invention comprise one or more detersive surfactants. The detersive surfactant component is included in shampoo compositions of the present invention to provide cleansing performance. The detersive surfactant may be selected from anionic detersive surfactant, zwitterionic or amphoteric detersive surfactant, or a combination thereof. Such surfactants should be physically and chemically compatible with the essential components described herein, or should not otherwise unduly impair product stability, aesthetics or performance.

Suitable anionic detersive surfactant components for use in the composition herein include those which are known for use in hair care or other personal care cleansing compositions. The concentration of the anionic surfactant component in the composition should be sufficient to provide the desired cleaning and lather performance, and generally range from about 5% to about 50%, preferably from about 8% to about 30%, more preferably from about 10% to about 25%, even more preferably from about 12% to about 22%, by weight of the composition.

Suitable zwitterionic or amphoteric detersive surfactants for use in the composition herein include those which are known for use in hair care or other personal cleansing compositions. Concentration of such amphoteric detersive surfactants preferably ranges from about 0.5% to about 20%, preferably from about 1% to about 10%. Non-limiting examples of suitable zwitterionic or amphoteric surfactants are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,104,646 and 5,106,609, both to Bolich Jr. et al.

The compositions of the present invention may further comprise additional surfactants for use in combination with the anionic detersive surfactant component described hereinbefore. Suitable additional surfactants include cationic and nonionic surfactants.

Non-limiting examples of other anionic, zwitterionic, amphoteric, cationic, nonionic, or optional additional surfactants suitable for use in the compositions are described in McCutcheon's, Emulsifiers and Detergents, 1989 Annual, published by M. C. Publishing Co., and U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,929,678; 2,658,072; 2,438,091; and 2,528,378.

B. Dispersed Gel Network Phase

The shampoo compositions of the present invention comprise a dispersed gel network phase comprising one or more fatty alcohols. The fatty alcohol, or mixture of different fatty alcohols, is selected for use in the present invention such that the dispersed gel network phase (i.e., as a phase which is incorporated and dispersed into the final shampoo composition) has a melt transition temperature of at least about 38° C., which is described in further detail below.

The dispersed gel network phase is included in shampoo compositions of the present invention to provide conditioning benefits. As used herein, the term “gel network” refers to a lamellar or vesicular solid crystalline phase which comprises at least one fatty alcohol as specified below, at least one secondary surfactant as specified below, and water or other suitable solvents. The lamellar or vesicular phase comprises bi-layers made up of a first layer comprising the fatty alcohol and the secondary surfactant and alternating with a second layer comprising the water or other suitable solvent. The term “solid crystalline”, as used herein, refers to the structure of the lamellar or vesicular phase which forms at a temperature below the melt transition temperature of the layer in the gel network comprising the one or more fatty alcohols, the melt transition temperature being at least about 27° C. (i.e., slightly above about room temperature). The melt transition temperature may be measured by differential scanning calorimetry, a method of which is described below.

For purposes of clarification, the melt transition temperature of at least 27° C., which is referred to immediately above as part of the definition of “solid crystalline”, is a different value from the melt transition temperature of the dispersed gel network phase of shampoo compositions of the present invention, which is at least about 38° C. In other words, a lamellar or vesicular phase as described above may be solid crystalline (i.e., at least 27° C.), but such a solid crystalline lamellar or vesicular phase is not necessarily a dispersed gel network phase of shampoo compositions of the present invention (i.e., at least 38° C.).

Gel networks which comprise, for example, fatty alcohols have been used for years in cosmetic creams and hair conditioners. Such cosmetic creams and hair conditioners, however, typically contain very low amounts, if any, of detersive surfactant. Thus, such known products do not provide a combination of cleansing and conditioning to the hair or skin.

Gel networks, generally, are further described by G. M. Eccleston, “Functions of Mixed Emulsifiers and Emulsifying Waxes in Dermatological Lotions and Creams”, Colloids and Surfaces A: Physiochem. and Eng. Aspects 123-124 (1997) 169-182; and by G. M Eccleston, “The Microstructure of Semisolid Creams”, Pharmacy International, Vol. 7, 63-70 (1986).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the dispersed gel network phase is pre-formed. The term “pre-formed”, as used herein, means that at least fifty percent of the mixture of the fatty alcohol, secondary surfactant, and water or other suitable solvent is substantially a solid crystalline phase when added to the other components of the shampoo composition.

According to this embodiment of the present invention, the gel network component of the present invention is prepared as a separate pre-mix, which, after being cooled, is subsequently incorporated with the detersive surfactant and the other components of the shampoo composition. Preparation of the gel network component is discussed in more detail below in the section entitled Process of Making a Shampoo Composition as well as in the Examples.

The cooled and pre-formed gel network component subsequently is added to the other components of the shampoo composition, including the detersive surfactant component. While not intending to be limited by theory, it is believed that incorporation of the cooled and pre-formed gel network component with the detersive surfactant and other components of the shampoo composition allows the formation of a substantially equilibrated lamellar dispersion (“ELD”) in the final shampoo composition. The ELD is a dispersed lamellar or vesicular phase resulting from the pre-formed gel network component substantially equilibrating with the detersive surfactants, water, and other optional components, such as salts, which may be present in the shampoo composition. This equilibration occurs upon incorporation of the pre-formed gel network component with the other components of the shampoo composition and is effectively complete within about 24 hours after making. Shampoo compositions in which the ELD is formed provide hair with improved wet and dry conditioning benefits. Further, the ELD does not form if the components which comprise the gel network component (i.e., the fatty alcohol and the secondary surfactant combined with water) are added as individual components together with the other components of the shampoo composition in one mixing step, and not as a separate cooled pre-formed gel network component.

For purposes of clarification, as used herein, the term “ELD” refers to the same component of the shampoo compositions of the present invention as the phrase “dispersed gel network phase”. Thus, in shampoo compositions according to the present invention, the ELD has a melt transition temperature of at least about 38° C.

As described above, the ELD is formed by the incorporation of the cooled and pre-formed gel network component with the detersive surfactant and other components of the shampoo composition. While the ELD and the pre-formed gel network component both comprise fatty alcohol, secondary surfactant, and water together in the form of a lamellar or vesicular solid crystalline phase, differences exist between certain physical properties of the ELD compared with those of the pre-formed gel network component. Prior to incorporation with the detersive surfactant and other components of the shampoo composition, the pre-formed gel network component consists essentially of fatty alcohol, secondary surfactant, and water. Upon incorporation, the lamellar structure of the gel network, acting as a template, is swelled by and equilibrates with the detersive surfactant and other components of the shampoo composition, such as salts and perfumes. Thus, it is believed that these differences in certain physical properties between the pre-formed gel network component and the ELD are consistent with the migration of, for example, the detersive surfactant, salts, and perfumes, into the gel network phase.

For example, for such a pre-formed gel network component, as seen in Gel Network Example 4 below, the melt transition temperature is about 68.3° C., as measured by differential scanning calorimetry. Additionally, the d-spacing is about 31.8 nm, as measured by small-angle x-ray scattering, and the fatty alcohol chain spacing is about 0.41 nm, as measured by wide-angle x-ray diffraction. After incorporation of the pre-formed gel network component with the detersive surfactant and other components of the shampoo composition, the ELD is formed. As seen in Shampoo Example 4 below, the ELD has a lower melt transition temperature of about 41.8° C., and a lower d-spacing of about 9.0 nm. Notably, there is no substantial change in the fatty alcohol chain spacing, which infers that the fatty alcohol chains are still frozen in the ELD, just as they were in the pre-formed gel network component.

Consequently, the presence of the gel network in the pre-mix and in the final shampoo composition in the form of the ELD can be confirmed by means known to one of skill in the art, such as X-ray analysis, optical microscopy, electron microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. A method of differential scanning calorimetry is described below. For methods of X-ray analysis, see U.S. 2006/0024256 A1.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the scale size of the dispersed gel network phase in the shampoo composition (i.e., the ELD) ranges from about 10 nm to about 500 nm. In another embodiment, the scale size of the dispersed gel network phase in the shampoo composition ranges from about 0.5 μm to about 10 μm. In yet another embodiment, the scale size of the dispersed gel network phase in the shampoo composition ranges from about 10 μm to about 150 μm.

The scale size distribution of the dispersed gel network phase in the shampoo composition may be measured with a laser light scattering technique, using a Horiba model LA 910 Laser Scattering Particle Size Distribution Analyzer (Horiba Instruments, Inc. Irvine Calif., USA). The scale size distribution in a shampoo composition of the present invention may be measured by combining 1.75 g of the shampoo composition with 30 mL of 3% NH₄Cl, 20 mL of 2% Na₂HPO₄ .7H ² O, and 10 mL of 1% laureth-7 to form a mixture. This mixture is then stirred for 5 minutes. As appropriate for the individual Horiba instrument being used, samples in the range of 1 to 40 mL are taken and then injected into the Horiba instrument, which contains 75 mL of 3% NH₄Cl, 50 mL of 2% Na₂HPO₄ .7H ² O, and 25 mL of 1% laureth-7, until the Horiba instrument reading is between 88-92% T, which is needed for the scale size measurement. Once this is achieved, a measurement is taken after 2 minutes of circulation through the Horiba instrument to provide the scale size measurement. A subsequent measurement is taken using a sample of the shampoo composition which has been heated above the melt transition temperature of all fatty materials present in the shampoo composition, such that the gel network component is melted. This subsequent measurement allows a scale size distribution to be taken of all of the remaining materials in the shampoo, which then can be compared to the scale size distribution of the first sample and assist in the analysis.

The shampoo compositions of the present invention comprise a dispersed fatty alcohol gel network phase (i.e., the ELD phase) in an amount greater than about 0.1%, preferably from about 1% to about 60%, and more preferably from about 5% to about 40%, by weight of the shampoo composition.

1. Fatty Alcohol

The gel network component of the present invention comprises at least one fatty alcohol. Individual fatty alcohol compounds or combinations of two or more different fatty alcohol compounds may be selected, provided that the resulting dispersed gel network phase, in the form of the ELD (i.e., as a phase which is incorporated and dispersed into the final shampoo composition), has a melt transition temperature of at least about 38° C., as measured according to differential scanning calorimetry. The melt transition temperature is discussed in more detail below.

Fatty alcohols suitable for use in the present invention are those having from about 18 to about 70 carbon atoms, and in one embodiment from about 18 to about 60 carbon atoms, in another embodiment from about 18 to about 50 carbon atoms, in yet another embodiment from about 18 to about 40 carbon atoms, and in even yet another embodiment from about 18 to about 22 carbon atoms. These fatty alcohols may be straight or branched chain alcohols and may be saturated or unsaturated. Non-limiting examples of suitable fatty alcohols include stearyl alcohol, arachidyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, C21 fatty alcohol (1-heneicosanol), C23 fatty alcohol (1-tricosanol), C24 fatty alcohol (lignoceryl alcohol, 1-tetracosanol), C26 fatty alcohol (1-hexacosanol), C28 fatty alcohol (1-octacosanol), C30 fatty alcohol (1-triacontanol), C20-40 alcohols (e.g., Performacol 350 and 425 Alcohols, available from New Phase Technologies), C30-50 alcohols (e.g., Performacol 550 Alcohol), C40-60 alcohols (e.g., Performacol 700 Alcohol), and mixtures thereof.

Mixtures of different fatty alcohols comprising one or more fatty alcohols having from about 18 to about 70 carbon atoms may also comprise some amount of one or more fatty alcohols or other fatty amphiphiles which have less than about 18 carbon atoms or greater than about 70 carbon atoms and still be considered to be within the scope of the present invention, provided that the resulting dispersed gel network phase has a melt transition temperature of at least about 38° C.

Such fatty alcohols suitable for use in the present invention may be of natural or vegetable origin, or they may be of synthetic origin.

The shampoo compositions of the present invention comprise fatty alcohol as part of the dispersed gel network phase in an amount from about 0.05% to about 14%, preferably from about 0.5% to about 10%, and more preferably from about 1% to about 8%, by weight of the shampoo composition.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the weight ratio of the fatty alcohol to the secondary surfactant in the gel network component is greater than about 1:9, preferably greater than about 1:5 to about 100:1, more preferably greater than about 1:1 to about 50:1.

2. Dispersed Gel Network Phase Melt Transition Temperature

According to the present invention, the dispersed gel network phase has a melt transition temperature of at least about 38° C., as measured according to differential scanning calorimetry. In one embodiment, the dispersed gel network phase has a melt transition temperature from about 38° C. to about 80° C. In another embodiment, the dispersed gel network phase has a melt transition temperature from about 40° C. to about 60° C. In a further embodiment, the dispersed gel network phase has a melt transition temperature from about 40° C. to about 55° C. In an even further embodiment, the dispersed gel network phase has a melt transition temperature from about 40° C. to about 50° C.

It is believed that, in the shampoo compositions of the present invention, the use of one or more fatty alcohols which result in the formation of a dispersed gel network phase having a melt transition temperature of at least about 38° C. contributes to improved physical stability of the shampoo compositions while surprisingly also delivering superior dry conditioning benefits versus shampoo compositions comprising a dispersed gel network which has a melt transition temperature below about 38° C.

As described above, the selection of a suitable fatty alcohol or mixture of different fatty alcohols provides that the resulting dispersed gel network phase has a melt transition temperature of at least about 38° C. Additionally, the selection of certain secondary surfactants can contribute to obtaining a melt transition temperature of at least about 38° C. for the resulting dispersed gel network phase.

The melt transition temperature of the dispersed gel network phase may be obtained using differential scanning calorimetry according to the following method. Utilizing a TA Instruments Q100 DSC, approximately 50 mg of the gel network pre-mix or the final shampoo composition containing the gel network is placed into a stainless steel high volume DSC pan. The sample, along with an empty reference pan is placed into the instrument. The samples are analyzed using the following conditions/temperature program: Nitrogen Purge, Equilibrate @ 5.00° C. until an isothermal is reach for 2.00 min. Ramp the temperature at a rate of 3.00° C./min to 90.00° C. Each sample is analyzed in duplicate. The resulting DSC data is analyzed using TA Instruments Universal Analysis Software.

The use of DSC to measure the melt transition temperature for gel networks is further described by T. de Vringer et al., Colloid and Polymer Science, vol. 265, 448-457 (1987); and H. M. Ribeiro et al., Intl. J. of Cosmetic Science, vol. 26, 47-59 (2004).

3. Secondary Surfactant

The gel network component of the present invention also comprises a secondary surfactant. As used herein, “secondary surfactant” refers to one or more surfactants which are combined with the fatty alcohol and water to form the gel network of the present invention as a pre-mix separate from the other components of the shampoo composition. The secondary surfactant is separate from and in addition to the detersive surfactant component of the shampoo composition. However, the secondary surfactant may be the same or different type of surfactant or surfactants as that or those selected for the detersive surfactant component described above.

The shampoo compositions of the present invention comprise secondary surfactant as part of the pre-formed dispersed gel network phase in an amount from about 0.01% to about 15%, preferably from about 0.1% to about 10%, and more preferably from about 0.3% to about 5%, by weight of the shampoo composition.

Suitable secondary surfactants include anionic, zwitterionic, amphoteric, cationic, and nonionic surfactants. Preferably, the secondary surfactant is selected from anionic, cationic, and nonionic surfactants, and mixtures thereof. For additional discussion of secondary surfactants which are suitable for use in the present invention, see U.S. 2006/0024256 A1.

Additionally, in an embodiment of the present invention, certain secondary surfactants which have a hydrophobic tail group with a chain length of from about 16 to about 22 carbon atoms may be selected to contribute to obtaining a melt transition temperature of at least about 38° C. for the resulting dispersed gel network phase. For such secondary surfactants, the hydrophobic tail group may be alkyl, alkenyl (containing up to 3 double bonds), alkyl aromatic, or branched alkyl. In such an embodiment, it is preferred that the secondary surfactant is present in the gel network component relative to the fatty alcohol at a weight ratio from about 1:5 to about 5:1.

Mixtures of more than one surfactant of the above specified types may be used for the secondary surfactant of the present invention.

4. Water or Suitable Solvents

The gel network component of the present invention also comprises water or suitable solvents. The water or suitable solvent and the secondary surfactant together contribute to the swelling of the fatty alcohol. This, in turn, leads to the formation and the stability of the gel network. As used herein, the term “suitable solvent” refers to any solvent which can be used in the place of or in combination with water in the formation of the gel network of the present invention.

The shampoo compositions of the present invention comprise water or suitable solvents as part of the pre-formed dispersed gel network phase in an amount suitable to achieve a gel network when combined with fatty alcohol and secondary surfactant according to the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the shampoo compositions of the present invention comprise as part of the pre-formed dispersed gel network phase at least about 0.05% of water or a suitable solvent, by weight of the shampoo composition.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the shampoo compositions comprise water or a suitable solvent as part of the pre-formed dispersed gel network phase is an amount relative to the amount of fatty alcohol at a weight ratio of at least about 1:1.

C. Aqueous Carrier

The shampoo compositions of the present invention comprise an aqueous carrier. Typically, the compositions of the present invention are in the form of pourable liquids (under ambient conditions). The compositions, therefore, comprise an aqueous carrier at a level of from about 20% to about 95%, preferably from about 60% to about 85%, by weight of the compositions. The aqueous carrier may comprise water, or a miscible mixture of water and organic solvent, but preferably comprises water with minimal or no significant concentrations of organic solvent, except as otherwise incidentally incorporated into the composition as minor ingredients of other essential or optional components.

D. Additional Components

The compositions of the present invention may further comprise one or more optional components known for use in hair care or personal care products, provided that the optional components are physically and chemically compatible with the essential components described herein, or do not otherwise unduly impair product stability, aesthetics or performance. Individual concentrations of such optional components may range from about 0.001% to about 10% by weight of the compositions.

Non-limiting examples of optional components for use in the composition include cationic polymers, conditioning agents (hydrocarbon oils, fatty esters, silicones), anti-dandruff agents, suspending agents, viscosity modifiers, dyes, nonvolatile solvents or diluents (water soluble and insoluble), pearlescent aids, foam boosters, additional surfactants or nonionic co-surfactants, pediculocides, pH adjusting agents, perfumes, preservatives, chelants, proteins, skin active agents, sunscreens, UV absorbers, and vitamins.

1. Deposition Aid

The shampoo compositions of the present invention may include a deposition aid. The deposition aid is included to effectively enhance deposition of the gel network component. The deposition aid can comprise any material that enhances the deposition of the gel network from the shampoo onto the hair and/or scalp.

The concentration of the deposition aid in the shampoo composition should be sufficient to effectively enhance the deposition of the gel network component and ranges from about 0.05% to about 5%, preferably from about 0.075% to about 2.5%, more preferably from about 0.1% to about 1.0%, by weight of the shampoo composition.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the deposition aid is a cationic polymer. Preferred cationic polymers will have cationic charge densities of at least about 0.9 meq/g, preferably at least about 1.2 meq/g, more preferably at least about 1.5 meq/g, but also preferably less than about 7 meq/g, more preferably less than about 5 meq/g, at the pH of intended use of the composition. The pH will generally range from about pH 3 to about pH 9, preferably between about pH 4 and about pH 8. The “cationic charge density” of a polymer, as that term is used herein, refers to the ratio of the number of positive charges on the polymer to the molecular weight of the polymer. The average molecular weight of such suitable cationic polymers will generally be between about 10,000 and 10 million, preferably between about 50,000 and about 5 million, more preferably between about 100,000 and about 3 million.

Suitable cationic polymers for use in the composition include polysaccharide polymers, such as cationic cellulose derivatives and cationic starch derivatives, such as salts of hydroxyethyl cellulose reacted with trimethyl ammonium substituted epoxide. Other suitable cationic polymers include cationic guar gum derivatives, such as guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride. Further suitable cationic polymers include galactomannan polymer derivatives having a mannose to galactose ratio of greater than 2:1 on a monomer to monomer basis, such as cassia gum hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride.

2. Dispersed Particles

The composition of the present invention may include dispersed particles. Particles useful in the present invention can be inorganic, synthetic, or semi-synthetic in origin. If present in the compositions of the present invention, dispersed particles are incorporated in an amount from about 0.025% to about 20%, preferably from about 0.05% to about 10%, more preferably from about 0.1% to about 5%, even more preferably from about 0.25% to about 3%, and yet more preferably from about 0.5% to about 2%, by weight of the composition.

3. Nonionic Polymers

Polyalkylene glycols having a molecular weight of more than about 1000 are useful herein. Useful are those having the following general formula:

wherein R⁹⁵ is selected from the group consisting of H, methyl, and mixtures thereof. Polyethylene glycol polymers useful herein are PEG-2M (also known as Polyox WSR® N-10, which is available from Union Carbide and as PEG-2,000); PEG-5M (also known as Polyox WSR® N-35 and Polyox WSR® N-80, available from Union Carbide and as PEG-5,000 and Polyethylene Glycol 300,000); PEG-7M (also known as Polyox WSR® N-750 available from Union Carbide); PEG-9M (also known as Polyox WSR® N-3333 available from Union Carbide); and PEG-14 M (also known as Polyox WSR® N-3000 available from Union Carbide).

4. Additional Conditioning Agents

The compositions of the present invention may also comprise one or more conditioning agents which are in addition to the dispersed gel network phase. Conditioning agents include materials which are used to give a particular conditioning benefit to hair and/or skin. The conditioning agents useful in the compositions of the present invention typically comprise a water-insoluble, water-dispersible, non-volatile, liquid that forms emulsified, liquid particles. Suitable conditioning agents for use in the composition are those conditioning agents characterized generally as silicones (e.g., silicone oils, cationic silicones, silicone gums, high refractive silicones, and silicone resins), organic conditioning oils (e.g., hydrocarbon oils, polyolefins, and fatty esters) or combinations thereof, or those conditioning agents which otherwise form liquid, dispersed particles in the aqueous surfactant matrix.

In one embodiment, the shampoo composition of the present invention further comprises a non-volatile silicone oil. For an opaque composition embodiment, the shampoo composition comprises a non-volatile silicone oil having a particle size as measured in the shampoo composition from about 1 μm to about 50 μm. In an embodiment of the present invention for small particle application to the hair, the shampoo composition comprises a non-volatile silicone oil having a particle size as measured in the shampoo composition from about 100 nm to about 1 μm. For a substantially clear composition embodiment, the shampoo composition comprises a non-volatile silicone oil having a particle size as measured in the shampoo composition of less than about 100 nm.

When present, the one or more conditioning agents are in an amount from about 0.01% to about 10%, preferably from about 0.1% to about 8%, more preferably from about 0.2% to about 4%, by weight of the composition.

The conditioning agents may be present in the dispersed gel network phase or may be added to the final shampoo composition as a separate component such that they are present primarily in the continuous phase of the shampoo.

5. Anti-Dandruff Actives

The compositions of the present invention may also contain an anti-dandruff active. Suitable non-limiting examples of anti-dandruff actives include pyridinethione salts, azoles, selenium sulfide, particulate sulfur, keratolytic agents, and mixtures thereof. Such anti-dandruff actives should be physically and chemically compatible with the essential components of the composition, and should not otherwise unduly impair product stability, aesthetics or performance.

When present in the composition, the anti-dandruff active is included in an amount from about 0.01% to about 5%, preferably from about 0.1% to about 3%, and more preferably from about 0.3% to about 2%, by weight of the composition.

6. Humectants

The compositions of the present invention may contain a humectant. The humectants herein are selected from the group consisting of polyhydric alcohols, water soluble alkoxylated nonionic polymers, and mixtures thereof. The humectants, when used herein, are preferably present in an amount by weight of the composition from about 0.1% to about 20%, more preferably from about 0.5% to about 5%.

7. Suspending Agent

The compositions of the present invention may further comprise a suspending agent at concentrations effective for suspending water-insoluble material in dispersed form in the compositions or for modifying the viscosity of the composition. Such concentrations range from about 0.1% to about 10%, preferably from about 0.3% to about 5.0%, by weight of the composition.

Suspending agents useful herein include crystalline suspending agents which can be categorized as acyl derivatives, long chain amine oxides, and mixtures thereof. These suspending agents are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,741,855. These preferred suspending agents include ethylene glycol esters of fatty acids preferably having from about 16 to about 22 carbon atoms. More preferred are the ethylene glycol stearates, both mono and distearate, but particularly the distearate containing less than about 7% of the mono stearate.

8. Other Optional Components

The compositions of the present invention may contain other optional components. Optional components may be present in the dispersed gel network phase or may be added to the final shampoo composition as separate components.

For example, the compositions of the present invention may contain water-soluble and water-insoluble vitamins such as vitamins B1, B2, B6, B12, C, pantothenic acid, pantothenyl ethyl ether, panthenol, biotin and their derivatives, and vitamins A, D, E, and their derivatives. The compositions of the present invention may also contain water-soluble and water-insoluble amino acids such as asparagine, alanine, indole, glutamic acid and their salts, and tyrosine, tryptamine, lysine, histadine and their salts. The compositions of present invention may further comprise materials useful for hair loss prevention and hair growth stimulants or agents.

Any other suitable optional component can also be included in the composition of the present invention, such as those ingredients that are conventionally used in given product types. The CTFA Cosmetic Ingredient Handbook, Tenth Edition (2004), published by the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association, Inc., Wash., D.C., describes a wide variety of nonlimiting materials that can be added to the composition herein. Examples of these ingredient classes include, but are not limited to: abrasives, absorbents, aesthetic components such as perfumes and fragrances, pigments, colorings/colorants, essential oils, skin sensates, astringents, etc. (e.g., clove oil, menthol, camphor, eucalyptus oil, eugenol, menthyl lactate, witch hazel distillate), anti-acne agents, anti-caking agents, antifoaming agents, antimicrobial agents (e.g., iodopropyl butylcarbamate), antibacterial agents, antifungal agents, antioxidants, binders, biological additives, buffering agents, bulking agents, chelating agents, chemical additives, colorants, cosmetic astringents, cosmetic biocides, denaturants, drug astringents, external analgesics, film formers or materials, e.g., polymers, for aiding the film-forming properties and substantivity of the composition (e.g., copolymer of eicosene and vinyl pyrrolidone), opacifying agents, pH adjusters, plant derivatives, plant extracts, plant tissue extracts, plant seed extracts, plant oils, botanicals, botanical extracts, preservatives, propellants, reducing agents, sebum control agents, sequestrants, skin bleaching and lightening agents, (e.g., hydroquinone, kojic acid, ascorbic acid, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, ascorbyl glucoside, pyridoxine), enzymes, coenzymes, skin-conditioning agents (e.g., humectants and occlusive agents), skin soothing and/or healing agents and derivatives (e.g., panthenol, and derivatives such as ethyl panthenol, aloe vera, pantothenic acid and its derivatives, allantoin, bisabolol, and dipotassium glycyrrhizinate), skin treating agents (e.g., vitamin D compounds, mono-, di-, and tri-terpenoids, beta-ionol, cedrol), thickeners (including a mono- or divalent salt such as sodium chloride), and vitamins, their derivatives, and combinations thereof.

When certain oil-soluble components, such as perfumes and fragrances, amino acids, water-insoluble vitamins, and the like, are present in the dispersed gel network phase, either by incorporating such components directly into the gel network component pre-mix or separately into the shampoo composition and consequently some amount of such components migrate into the dispersed gel network phase during equilibration, they may be effectively deposited on hair and/or skin. To obtain very effective deposition of oil-soluble components on hair and/or skin via their presence in the dispersed gel network phase, oil-soluble component compositions which comprise no less than about 60% of ingredients having a Clog P of about 3 or higher are preferred. For further discussion on Clog P and how to determine its value for a variety of materials, see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,849,310 and 5,500,154 as well as EP 1 533 364.

E. Process of Making a Shampoo Composition

An aspect of the invention relates to a process of making a shampoo composition of the present invention. The process of making a shampoo composition comprises (a) combining a fatty alcohol, a secondary surfactant, and water at a temperature sufficient to allow partitioning of the secondary surfactant and the water into the fatty alcohol to form a pre-mix; (b) cooling the pre-mix below the chain melt temperature of the fatty alcohol to form a gel network; (c) adding the gel network to one or more detersive surfactants and an aqueous carrier to form a shampoo composition which comprises a dispersed gel network phase having a melt transition temperature of at least about 38° C.

As discussed above, in one embodiment of the present invention, the gel network component is prepared as a separate pre-mix, which, after being cooled, is subsequently incorporated with the other components of the shampoo composition. More specifically, the gel network component of the present invention may be prepared by heating the fatty alcohol, the secondary surfactant, and water to a level in the range of about 75° C. to about 90° C. and mixing. This mixture is cooled to a level in the range of about 27° C. to about 35° C. by, for example, passing the mixture through a heat exchanger. As a result of this cooling step, at least about fifty percent of the mixture of the fatty alcohol and the secondary surfactant crystallize to form a crystalline gel network.

Alternative methods of preparing the gel network component include sonication and/or milling of the fatty alcohol, the secondary surfactant, and water, while these components are heated, to reduce the particle size of the melted fatty alcohol phase. This results in an increase in surface area of the fatty alcohol phase, which allows the secondary surfactant and the water to swell the fatty alcohol phase. Another suitable variation in preparing the gel network includes heating and mixing the fatty alcohol and the secondary surfactant first, and then adding that mixture to the water.

F. Method of Use

The compositions of the present invention are used in a conventional manner for cleansing and conditioning hair or skin, including scalp, face, and body. Generally, a method of treating hair or skin of the present invention comprises applying the composition of the present invention to the hair or skin. More specifically, an effective amount of the composition is applied to the hair or skin, which has preferably been wetted with water, and then the composition is rinsed off. Such effective amounts generally range from about 1 g to about 50 g, preferably from about 1 g to about 20 g. Application to the hair typically includes working the composition through the hair such that most or all of the hair is contacted with the composition.

The method for treating the hair or skin comprises the steps of: (a) wetting the hair or skin with water; (b) applying an effective amount of the shampoo composition to the hair or skin, and (c) rinsing the applied areas of skin or hair with water. These steps can be repeated as many times as desired to achieve the desired cleansing and conditioning benefit.

In one embodiment, the shampoo composition of the present invention advantageously is used to treat damaged hair. Damaged hair may include hair selected from permed hair, oxidatively colored hair, and mechanically damaged hair.

In another embodiment, the shampoo composition is used to treat skin, such as the scalp, the face, and the body.

The shampoo compositions of this invention may be used as liquids, solids, semi-solids, flakes, gels, placed in a pressurized container with a propellant added, or used in a pump spray form. The viscosity of the product may be selected to accommodate the form desired.

NON-LIMITING EXAMPLES

The shampoo compositions illustrated in the following Examples illustrate specific embodiments of the shampoo compositions of the present invention, but are not intended to be limiting thereof. Other modifications can be undertaken by the skilled artisan without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. These exemplified embodiments of the shampoo composition of the present invention provide enhanced conditioning benefits to the hair.

The shampoo compositions illustrated in the following Examples are prepared by conventional formulation and mixing methods, an example of which is set forth hereinbelow. All exemplified amounts are listed as weight percents and exclude minor materials such as diluents, preservatives, color solutions, imagery ingredients, botanicals, and so forth, unless otherwise specified. All percentages are based on weight unless otherwise specified.

Preparation of the Gel Network Pre-Mix

To prepare the gel network pre-mix, about 20% of the water is heated to about 74° C. and the fatty alcohol and the secondary surfactant (e.g., Behenyltrimethylammonium chloride (Varisoft BT-85) or Sodium Laureth Sulfate) are added to it. After incorporation, this mixture is passed through a mill and heat exchanger where it is cooled to about 35° C. As a result of this cooling step, the fatty alcohol, the secondary surfactant, and the water form a crystalline gel network.

For mixtures of different fatty alcohols, it may be beneficial to pre-mix the fatty alcohol materials before incorporation into the water. This can be done by co-melting the different fatty alcohols together and utilizing this melt or cooling into a solid phase and incorporating this into the heated water along with the secondary surfactant. Another variation could be to co-melt the one or more fatty alcohols and the secondary surfactant before incorporation into the water.

Gel Network Pre-Mix Examples 1-14

The following Examples illustrate specific embodiments of the gel network pre-mix, prior to its incorporation with the detersive surfactant and other components of the final shampoo composition of the present invention. It is intended that each of the following gel network pre-mix examples could be incorporated as a dispersed phase into a shampoo composition according to the present invention. Ingredient 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Water 88.78% 88.78% 88.78% 82.75% 86.14% 88.79% 88.79% Stearyl Alcohol 9.90% 4.95% 4.29% 4.95% 7.42% 7.42% Behenyl Alcohol 9.90% 4.95% Lanette 22 (1) 4.29% 4.95% C20-40 alcohols (2) (Perf. 350) 2.47% C30-50 alcohols (2) (Perf. 425) 2.47% Sodium laureth-3 sulfate (28% Active) 8.64% 3.93% Behenyltrimethylammonium 1.29% 1.29% 1.29% 1.29% 1.29% chloride, Varisoft BT-85 (3) 5-Chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin- 0.03% 0.03% 0.03% 0.03% 0.03% 0.03% 0.03% 3-one, Kathon CG DSC Melt Transition at peak 68.3 67.3 44.1 & 78.6 37.7, max(s) in ° C. 44.4, & 79.3 (1) available from Cognis Corp. (2) available from New Phase Technologies as the Performacol series (350, 425) (3) available from Croda Chemicals

Ingredient 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Water 88.54% 88.97% 88.97% 88.78% 88.78% 82.76% 86.15% Cetyl Alcohol 5.57% 1.97% Stearyl Alcohol 4.29% 3.00% 3.53% 2.14% 4.95% 2.14% 2.47% Arachidyl Alcohol 4.29% Behenyl Alcohol 6.43% Lanette 22 (1) 6.43% 7.42% C40-60 alcohols (2) 4.95% Sodium Behenyl Sulfate (100% 2.42% 5.50% Active) Sodium laureth-3 sulfate (28% 8.64% 8.64% 3.93% Active) Behenyltrimethylammonium 2.85% 1.29% chloride, Varisoft BT-85 (3) 5-Chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin- 0.03% 0.03% 0.03% 0.03% 0.03% 0.03% 0.03% 3-one, Kathon CG DSC Melt Transition at peak 70.1 70.4 max(s) in ° C. (1) available from Cognis Corp. (2) available from New Phase Technologies as the Performacol series (700) (3) available from Croda Chemicals

Preparation of Final Shampoo Compositions

To prepare the final shampoo composition, first, a surfactant solution pre-mix is formed. To prepare this surfactant solution pre-mix, about 6% to about 9% of sodium or ammonium laureth-3 sulfate, cationic polymers, and about 0% to about 5% of water are added to a jacketed mix tank and heated to about 74° C. with agitation. To this solution, citric acid, sodium citrate, sodium benzoate, and disodium EDTA are added to the tank and allowed to disperse. Ethylene glycol distearate (EGDS) is then added to the mixing vessel and melted. After the EGDS was well dispersed (e.g., after about 10 minutes), preservative is added and mixed into the surfactant solution. This mixture is passed through a mill and heat exchanger where it is cooled to about 35° C. and collected in a finishing tank. As a result of this cooling step, the EGDS crystallizes to form a waxy crystalline suspension. The mixture of these components is the surfactant solution pre-mix.

Next, the surfactant solution pre-mix and the gel network pre-mix, which is prepared as described above, are mixed together. The remainder of the surfactants, perfume, dimethicone, sodium chloride or ammonium xylene sulfonate for viscosity adjustment, and the remainder of the water are added with ample agitation to ensure a homogeneous mixture. This mixture is the final shampoo composition which comprises as a dispersed phase the gel network pre-mix.

Preferred viscosities of the final shampoo composition according to the present invention range from about 5000 to about 15,000 centipoise at 27° C., as measured by a Wells-Brookfield model RVTDCP viscometer using a CP-41 cone and plate at 2/s at 3 minutes.

The pH may be adjusted as necessary to provide shampoo compositions of the present invention which are suitable for application to human hair, and may vary based on the selection of particular detersive surfactants, fatty alcohols, and/or other components.

Shampoo Examples 1-20

The following Examples illustrate specific embodiments of the final shampoo composition of the present invention, which respectively comprise select above-exemplified gel network pre-mixes as a dispersed phase. Ingredient 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Sodium Laureth 10.00 10.00 10.00 10.00 10.00 10.00 10.00 10.00 10.00 8.5 Sulfate Sodium Lauryl 1.50 1.50 1.50 1.50 1.50 1.50 1.50 1.50 1.50 3.00 Sulfate Cocamidopropyl 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 betaine Gel Network 1 27.3 Gel Network 2 27.3 Gel Network 3 27.3 Gel Network 4 27.3 27.3 Gel Network 5 27.3 Gel Network 6 27.3 Gel Network 7 27.3 Gel Network 13 27.3 Gel Network 14 27.3 Guar Hydroxypropyl trimonium chloride (1) Guar Hydroxypropyl 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 trimonium chloride (2) Guar Hydroxypropyl trimonium chloride (3) Polyquaterium-10 (7) Dimethicone (9) 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 Ethylene Glycol 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 3.0 1.5 1.5 3.0 3.0 3.0 Distearate 5-Chloro-2-methyl-4- 0.0005 0.0005 0.0005 0.0005 0.0005 0.0005 0.0005 0.0005 0.0005 0.0005 isothiazolin-3-one, Kathon CG Sodium Benzoate 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 Disodium EDTA 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.13 Perfume 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 Citric Acid/Sodium pH pH pH pH pH pH pH pH pH pH Citrate Dihydrate QS QS QS QS QS QS QS QS QS QS Sodium Chloride/ Visc. Visc. Visc. Visc. Visc. Visc. Visc. Visc. Visc. Visc. Ammonium Xylene QS QS QS QS QS QS QS QS QS QS Sulfonate Water QS QS QS QS QS QS QS QS QS QS DSC Melt Transition 40.8 51.5 43.4 41.8 42.2 40.5 41.2 42.5 42.1 41.7 of Gel Network in Shampoo (ELD) at peak max (s) in ° C. (1) Jaguar C17 available from Rhodia (2) ADPP-5043HMW (with Mol. W. of ˜1,200,000 and Char. Den. of 2.0 meq/g) available from Aqualon/Hercules (3) ADPP-5043LMW (with Mol. W. of ˜500,000 and Char. Den. of 2.0 meq/g) available from Aqulaon/Hercules (4) Polymer KG30M available from Amerchol/Dow Chemical (5) Viscasil 330M available from General Electric Silicones

Ingredient 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Sodium Laureth 10.00 10.00 10.00 10.00 10.00 10.00 6.00 7.65 10.00 8.5 Sulfate Sodium Lauryl 1.50 1.50 1.50 1.50 3.00 6.00 10.00 6.35 1.50 3.00 Sulfate Cocamidopropyl 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.00 2.00 betaine Gel Network 1 27.3 27.3 Gel Network 9 27.3 Gel Network 10 27.3 Gel Network 4 13.65 27.3 27.3 Gel Network 5 27.3 27.3 Gel Network 11 27.3 Guar Hydroxypropyl 0.20 0.3 trimonium chloride (1) Guar Hydroxypropyl 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.10 trimonium chloride (2) Guar Hydroxypropyl 0.40 trimonium chloride (3) Polyquaterium-10 (4) 0.40 Dimethicone (9) 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 Ethylene Glycol 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 3.0 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 Distearate 5-Chloro-2-methyl-4- 0.0005 0.0005 0.0005 0.0005 0.0005 0.0005 0.0005 0.0005 0.0005 0.0005 isothiazolin-3-one, Kathon CG Sodium Benzoate 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 Disodium EDTA 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.13 Perfume 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.70 Citric Acid/Sodium pH pH pH pH pH pH pH pH pH pH Citrate Dihydrate QS QS QS QS QS QS QS QS QS QS Sodium Chloride/ Visc. Visc. Visc. Visc. Visc. Visc. Visc. Visc. Visc. Visc. Ammonium Xylene QS QS QS QS QS QS QS QS QS QS Sulfonate Water QS QS QS QS QS QS QS QS QS QS DSC Melt Transition 39.0 40.1 41.7 38.0 of Gel Network in Shampoo (ELD) at peak max (s) in ° C. Scale Size of ELD 31 μm 0.01 μm 1 μm 4 μm (Dispersed GN phase) (1) Jaguar C17 available from Rhodia (2) ADPP-5043HMW (with Mol. W. of ˜1,200,000 and Char. Den. of 2.0 meq/g) available from Aqualon/Hercules (3) ADPP-5043LMW (with Mol. W. of ˜500,000 and Char. Den. of 2.0 meq/g) available from Aqulaon/Hercules (4) Polymer KG30M available from Amerchol/Dow Chemical (5) Viscasil 330M available from General Electric Silicones

All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this written document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to the term in this written document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention. 

1. A shampoo composition comprising: a) from about 5% to about 50% of one or more detersive surfactants, by weight of said shampoo composition; b) a dispersed gel network phase comprising: i) at least about 0.05% of one or more fatty alcohols, by weight of said shampoo composition; ii) at least about 0.01% of one or more secondary surfactants, by weight of said shampoo composition; and iii) water; and c) at least about 20% of an aqueous carrier, by weight of said shampoo composition; wherein said dispersed gel network phase has a melt transition temperature of at least about 38° C., as measured according to differential scanning calorimetry.
 2. A shampoo composition according to claim 1, wherein said dispersed gel network phase has a melt transition temperature of about 40° C. to about 60° C., as measured according to differential scanning calorimetry.
 3. A shampoo composition according to claim 1, wherein said fatty alcohol is selected from fatty alcohols having from about 18 to about 70 carbon atoms.
 4. A shampoo composition according to claim 1, wherein said fatty alcohol is selected from fatty alcohols having from about 18 to about 22 carbon atoms.
 5. A shampoo composition according to claim 1, wherein said dispersed gel network phase is present in an amount from about 1% to about 60%, by weight of said shampoo composition.
 6. A shampoo composition according to claim 1, wherein said dispersed gel network phase has a scale size as measured in said shampoo composition from about 10 nm to about 500 nm.
 7. A shampoo composition according to claim 1, wherein said dispersed gel network phase has a scale size as measured in said shampoo composition from about 0.5 μm to about 10 μm.
 8. A shampoo composition according to claim 1, wherein said dispersed gel network phase has a scale size as measured in said shampoo composition from about 10 μm to about 150 μm.
 9. A shampoo composition according to claim 1, wherein said secondary surfactant is selected from the group consisting of cationic surfactants, anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, and mixtures thereof.
 10. A shampoo composition according to claim 9, wherein said cationic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of cetrimonium chloride, stearimonium chloride, behentrimonium chloride, behentrimonium methosulfate, behenamidopropyltrimonium methosulfate, stearamidopropyltrimonium chloride, arachidtrimonium chloride, distearyldimonium chloride, dicetyldimonium chloride, tricetylmonium chloride, oleamidopropyl dimethylamine, linoleamidopropyl dimethylamine, isostearamidopropyl dimethylamine, oleyl hydroxyethyl imidazoline, stearamidopropyldimethylamine, behenamidopropyldimethylamine, behenamidopropyldiethylamine, behenamidoethyldiethyl-amine, behenamidoethyldimethylamine, arachidamidopropyldimethylamine, arachidamido-propyidiethylamine, arachidamidoethyidiethylamine, arachidamidoethyidimethylamine, and mixtures thereof.
 11. A shampoo composition according to claim 9, wherein said anionic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of ammonium lauryl sulfate, ammonium laureth sulfate, triethylamine lauryl sulfate, triethylamine laureth sulfate, triethanolamine lauryl sulfate, triethanolamine laureth sulfate, monoethanolamine lauryl sulfate, monoethanolamine laureth sulfate, diethanolamine lauryl sulfate, diethanolamine laureth sulfate, lauric monoglyceride sodium sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, potassium lauryl sulfate, potassium laureth sulfate, sodium lauryl sarcosinate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, lauryl sarcosine, cocoyl sarcosine, ammonium cocoyl sulfate, ammonium lauroyl sulfate, sodium cocoyl sulfate, sodium lauroyl sulfate, potassium cocoyl sulfate, potassium lauryl sulfate, triethanolamine lauryl sulfate, triethanolamine lauryl sulfate, monoethanolamine cocoyl sulfate, monoethanolamine lauryl sulfate, sodium tridecyl benzene sulfonate, sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate, sodium cocoyl isethionate, and mixtures thereof.
 12. A shampoo composition according to claim 9, wherein said nonionic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyethyleneglycol fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene castor oil, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, polyoxyethylene fatty amides and their monoethanolamine and diethanolamine derivatives, polyethoxylated fatty amines, alkyl polyglucosides, sugar esters, polyglyceryl fatty acid esters, alkyl polyglyceryl ethers, and mixtures thereof.
 13. A shampoo composition according to claim 1, wherein said secondary surfactant has a hydrophobic tail group with a chain length of from about 16 to about 22 carbon atoms and is selected from the group consisting of cationic surfactants, anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, and mixtures thereof, and wherein said secondary surfactant is present relative to said fatty alcohol at a weight ratio from about 1:5 to about 5:1.
 14. A shampoo composition according to claim 1, further comprising an additional component selected from the group consisting of deposition aids, dispersed particles, nonionic polymers, additional conditioning agents, anti-dandruff actives, humectants, suspending agents, perfumes, amino acids, and water-insoluble vitamins.
 15. A shampoo composition according to claim 14, wherein said deposition aid is a cationic polymer selected from the group consisting of cellulose derivatives, starch derivatives, guar derivatives, and cassia derivatives, and having a molecular weight from about 10,000 to about 10,000,000 and a charge density from about 0.9 meq/g to about 7.0 meq/g.
 16. A shampoo composition according to claim 14, wherein said suspending agent is a crystalline suspending agent.
 17. A shampoo composition according to claim 14, wherein said additional conditioning agent is a silicone conditioning agent having a particle size as measured in said shampoo composition from about 1 μm to about 50 μm.
 18. A shampoo composition according to claim 14, wherein said additional conditioning agent is a silicone conditioning agent having a particle size as measured in said shampoo composition from about 100 nm to about 1 μm.
 19. A shampoo composition according to claim 14, wherein said additional conditioning agent is a silicone conditioning agent having a particle size as measured in said shampoo composition of less than about 100 nm.
 20. A method of treating hair or skin, said method comprising the step of applying to the hair or skin the shampoo composition according to claim
 1. 21. A process for preparing a shampoo composition according to claim 1, said process comprising the steps of: a) combining a fatty alcohol, a secondary surfactant, and water at a temperature sufficient to allow partitioning of said secondary surfactant and said water into said fatty alcohol to form a pre-mix; b) cooling said pre-mix below the chain melt temperature of said fatty alcohol to form a gel network; c) adding the gel network to one or more detersive surfactants and an aqueous carrier to form a shampoo composition which comprises a dispersed gel network phase having a melt transition temperature of at least about 38° C. 